When you're floored by a nasty cold - or even a mildly unpleasant one - sometimes it seems the best thing to do is stay in bed.

No one wins popularity competitions by battling in to work then sitting there doing your best human germ farm impression.

But what if you knew by being tucked up in bed, you could be making the problem a lot, lot worse?

While it may almost seem instinctive when hit by a virus or cold to stay in bed, there can be some very serious health implications.

What to do when ill

Dr Erich P Voigt, MD, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, spoke to Business Insider and outlined why bed is really not your best bet.

No one says battle your way to the gym (Photo: REX/Shutterstock)

It turns out his patients do ask if they can or should they exercise when they're ill.

However, while Dr Voigt is by no means suggesting you go for a run or sweat it out in a gym, he explains, "Resting doesn't mean you should stay bed bound."

Because being lain in bed for a day could induce other problems.

Dr Voigt continues, "That thick mucus you need to cough out when you've got a cold, if you're laying in bed and not moving, that mucus can consolidate in your chest and lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.

Being prone can cause a couple of health issues (Photo: Getty)

"When we're not breathing properly and we're not moving around, our lungs can collapse a little bit and give atelectasis which can then lead to fluid in the lungs or pneumonia."

This is not the only health issue which can arise from being bedbound.

"Additionally, if you're not moving around and lying in bed all day, you could get blood clots in your legs.

"So it's a good idea to be up and around if you've have a cold or virus, you shouldn't be lying in bed.